WHY REDDING’S CULTURAL DISTRICT IS ON THE RISE

Redding is renowned as one of California’s most fantastic outdoor playgrounds, but not everything here is about trails, waterfalls, and fishing.

Lesser known is the fact that Redding is one of only 14 official California cultural districts, and our local arts and culture scene is continuing to grow.

Whether you’re a foodie, fashionista, art lover, history buff, or just want a taste of the local customs and pastimes, Redding culture offers a wide variety of creative and engaging opportunities.

Cultural Events in Redding, CA You Won’t Want To Miss

Looking for things to do in Redding this weekend?

Immerse yourself in one of 70 public art sites or over 50 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

Marvel at the architecture and engineering of the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay—a glass walkway that spans the Sacramento River—one of the largest working sundials in the entire world. 

Experience the heart-stopping action at the Redding Rodeo.

Take in world-class entertainment at some of the city’s premier venues, such as the Cascade Theater or the Redding Civic Auditorium.

You’ll enjoy it all against the backdrop of three breathtaking mountain ranges.

Redding’s cultural district is ideally explored on a bicycle or on foot. Here are just some of the cultural attractions not to be missed—there’s truly something for everyone!

REDDING CIVIC AUDITORIUM

700 Auditorium Drive. View the map.

Opened in 1969, the Redding Civic Auditorium is a 39,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility designed to host theater, concerts, and exhibitions.

Its brutalist architecture style draws interest and debate from building and design aficionados. 

The Civic has hosted diverse and legendary artists, including Bob Dylan, BB King, Journey, and ZZ Top. This landmark building was revitalized in 2011 in conjunction with Advance Redding.

CASCADE THEATRE

1731 Market Street. View the map.

Cascade Theatre is a beautiful art deco cinema designed by J. Lloyd Conrich of San Francisco. The theater opened in 1935 with its first show, Ginger, starring Jane Withers, drawing around 1,350 people—roughly a fifth of the city at the time!

Through the years, the Cascade has hosted concerts, vaudeville acts, musical performances, and church services until it was forced to close its doors in 1997 against the rise of multiplex cinema.

The historic theater reopened in 2004, complete with a makeover, and is again operating as a movie theater and multi-purpose performing arts venue. The Cascade Theatre is an icon of Redding’s downtown precinct. 

RIVERFRONT PLAYHOUSE

1950 California Street. View the map. 

Riverfront Playhouse is no secret among local theatre lovers. As the longest continually operating community theatre in Redding, Riverfront has been entertaining Shasta County since its first show in 1981.

After operating for nearly 30 years on East Cypress Avenue, Riverfront Playhouse relocated to its current California Street location in downtown Redding in 2020.

This all-volunteer theatre continues to provide a venue for local adults and children alike to participating in set building and stage acting.

OLD CITY HALL ARTS CENTER

1313 Market Street. View the map.

Built in 1907, the Old City Hall Arts Center once doubled as Redding’s police station until the 1960s. The Arts Center is now exclusively Shasta County Arts Council‘s gallery and performance hall, and it exhibits the work of everyone from community schools to local artists.

The magnificent palm trees in front of the building were planted in 1908.

Behind the Arts Center on Shasta Street lies the striking art moderne firehouse, resplendent with rounded corners, curved glass, and a smooth wall finish.

TURTLE BAY MUSEUM

844 Sundial Bridge Drive. View the map.

Whether art, history, science, forestry, or horticulture fascinates you, you’re bound to learn something new at the Turtle Bay Museum and Exploration Park.

The museum celebrates and showcases the area’s natural history with changing exhibits. One of the most popular is Aquatic Adventures, lifting the lid on Redding’s underwater life with an up-close look at fish, beavers, and turtles.

Don’t miss the butterfly house or the lorikeet feeding!

MCCONNELL ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS

1125 Arboretum Drive. View the map.

Consisting of over 200 acres of native and non-native plants and trees, the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens offers a tranquil sanctuary for locals and road trippers alike.

Soak in the serenity from a quiet bench in the medicinal garden, give your kids some much-needed time in nature in the children’s garden, or tour the water features and artistic displays located along the walking path.

If you’re visiting in November of December, note that the botanical gardens may be closed for the Garden of Lights. This 10-acre walk-through display features over a million lights, fire pits and s’mores, holiday music, and more. 

SACRAMENTO RIVER TRAIL

View the map.

The Sacramento River Trail is a paved, national recreation pathway serving as a staple component of the quintessential Redding lifestyle. You can start anywhere along the trail, including the iconic Sundial Bridge. 

The eight-foot wide trail is used for walking, hiking, cycling, and even horseback riding, running for 17 miles adjacent to the river.

There are various loops to explore, each showcasing the exhilarating landscapes and local birdlife.

Start where you like, finish where you like. It is a must-do in Redding!

SHASTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

1449 Market Street. View the map.

The Shasta Historical Society has been celebrating the story of Redding’s Shasta County since 1930 by displaying exhibits, programs, publications, and other collections.

Beginning as a modest exercise focused on interviewing locals relevant to the area’s history, the society is now the largest non-university center for historical research in California north of Sacramento.

The society offers a searchable online database and hosts free events throughout the year, including a monthly walking tour series.

REDDING FASHION ALLIANCE

1698 Market Street. View the map.

The Redding Fashion Alliance encourages self-sufficiency by providing affordable access to fashion. This non-profit organization in the heart of Redding’s cultural district offers space for sewing and fashion design, retail space, business workshops, and a conference room. From beginning to intermediate sewing classes, the Fashion Alliance is sure to have just what you’re looking for.

Whether it’s clothes, jewelry, or crafts that inspire you, the Fashion Alliance is a must-visit.

ABE’S HABERDASHERY

1328 Placer Street. View the map.

If quality vintage fashion and collectibles are your thing, Abe’s Haberdashery is your shop.

From clothing and jewelry to art and antiques, you’ll find a little something from yesteryear to add to your collection. This shop has been a favorite of locals, young and old, since opening its doors late in 2019. 

The owner, Jay Abraham, has made a great effort to source and curate only the highest quality and most intriguing items from all over the country. 

The rarer, the better at Abe’s—you never know what you’ll find until you start digging.

REDDING MAKERSPACE

925 Wall Street #5. View the map.

It’s back to school at Redding Makerspace, where you can start from scratch or fine-tune your skills in this community workshop.

Whether it’s circuit boards, knife cutting, or acrylic pour painting, you’ll find a class to reignite a passion for learning with your hands.

The facilities include an electronics lab, woodwork, and welding and metal fabrication departments. You can hire their facilities or engage their staff to support you in finishing a creative project.

ENJOY THE STORE

1261 Market Street. View the map.

It’s a free lifestyle magazine with its very own store!

Launched in 2006, Enjoy The Store aims to showcase all the best things to do in NorCal, no matter how secret they may be. The people, the places—it’s about everything to eat, drink, see, and do in the best end of California.

You can check out the latest magazine issue here or flick through it while enjoying some of their own artisan food or home-brewed coffee (coming soon).

TheRAP – REDDING ARTS PROJECT

1726 Market Street. View the map.

The official school of Redding City Ballet and Redding Theater Company, the Redding Arts Project (TheRAP), provides a home for all the city’s artists.

TheRAP prioritizes smaller class sizes, focusing on quality instruction in dance, voice, and theater for ages 2 1/2 and up.

Whether it’s ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, or musical theater, the Redding Arts Project is sure to tap into your passion. 

SIZZLES KITCHEN

1440 Placer Street. View the map.

If you’re a whiz in the kitchen but don’t have the space, Sizzles Kitchen will set your heart on fire.

Get your food venture steaming in a fully equipped commercial kitchen available for hire by the hour, the day, the week, or the month—perfect for caterers!

Whether baking delights for the local farmer’s market or preparing for a private function at a wedding, birthday party, or another significant event, you can cook up a storm at Sizzles.

ABODE – THE MAKERY

1943 Pine St. View the map.

The Makery and Abode unite to bring creativity, collaboration, and community together in one beautiful location.

Situated in the heart of downtown Redding, Abode displays hand-curated home goods in an aesthetically-pleasing shopping space.

Once you’ve browsed what Abode has to offer, step into The Makery to check out creative classes and workshops taught by local artists. (Register for upcoming classes on their website.)

If you’re looking to create, The Makery provides the tools and support to bring your ideas to life.

FEAST COFFEE TASTING

2085 Pine St (Evergreen coffee shop) or 1501 Yuba St (tasting room). View the map for Evergreen or the tasting room.

Feast Coffee is roasted locally in Redding from the beautiful Evergreen coffee shop and distributed throughout the United States. Enjoy a complimentary tasting at the Feast tasting room each month, where you’ll learn about the unique flavor notes and how to distinguish between them.

Feast hosts regular events, including roasting workshops, so tune in at feastcoffee.com.

ALL FIRED UP

939 Butte St. View the map.

Get fired up for all things clay, paint, and glass! All Fired Up is a multi-purpose art studio in Redding, offering art classes, parties (kids and adults), and an inspiring place to go for free-spirited creation.

It’s a simple model—arrive without a reservation, pick your project, and dive right in. From there, the All Fired Up team helps you get set up with the right equipment and even handles the firing process for you in the studio kilns.

NORTH VALLEY ART LEAGUE

48 Quartz Hill Rd. View the map.

This volunteer-led, not-for-profit community is a haven for artists of all kinds. Not only is North Valley Art League a place to create and learn through various painting and photography classes, but it also showcases and celebrates incredible artistic works. 

The on-site gallery hosts regional, national, and international shows and plays a crucial role in activating Redding’s arts culture.

PEDEGO REDDING

862 N Market St. View the map.

Locals and tourists alike will tell you that one of the best ways to check out Redding is by way of Pedego’s electric bikes. That might sound surprising, but with the Sacramento Trail, and miles and miles of paved paths, it really is true. 

While Pedego is America’s most prominent electric bike retailer, the company maintains a small-town vibe in Redding. The local team not only knows their bikes, they know their city—and they’re more than happy to send you in the right direction to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

WANT TO TAKE IN REDDING’S CULTURAL DISTRICT IN FULL?

We’ve just given you a taste of the arts and culture available in Redding. Experience all that Redding, CA culture has to offer in your own way—chart your course around Redding’s Cultural District, and follow the path that makes you tick.

Check out the full map here and for more information, visit the cultural district website.